The NewBridge Project

The NewBridge Project is an artist-led community supporting artists, curators and communities. Led by the locations and the people in our communities, we have provided space - studios, gallery, workshops, resources and libraries - and professional and artistic development support since 2010. Since moving to the Shieldfield Centre in 2021, our work has expanded, with newer initiatives including For Solidarity, a network of North East climate and social justice projects; dedicated opportunities for non-university routes into the arts, and a range of community activities in our new location of Shieldfield, including a youth programme.

NewBridge became a charity in 2017 and has grown from a staff of 3 to 14. It is important to us that our Board of Trustees grows as the organisation has, so that we can nurture the staff and the communities who make up the excellent work NewBridge does - from pioneering approaches to developing careers in the arts for those often under supported, to caring and collaborative ways NewBridge is evolving to become a key resource for the local community.

New Trustees will support NewBridge to build on our diversity, knowledge and skills. We value both professional and lived experience in our Trustees, and you may have knowledge in more than one area of expertise we are looking for, or areas that aren’t included but you think will be valuable to the organisation. You don’t have to have been on a Board before either - we’re more interested in the experience you bring and your interest in supporting NewBridge and the work we do. We are committed to developing more diverse representation and for our Trustees to better reflect the communities we engage with through our work. We welcome applications from those who are currently under-represented on our Board and across the arts sector, including individuals of the global majority, who are disabled, D/Deaf, neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, or who have faced other intersecting barriers.

We are looking for expertise in some specific areas:

• Living in Shieldfield
• Working in a place-based organisation or place-based approaches
• Alternative routes into employment and education
• Barriers to access within the cultural/visual art sector
• Climate justice and environmental sustainability
• Youth work
• Strategic communications and PR

What we’re looking for in a Trustee:

• Enthusiasm for the work, ethos and values of NewBridge
• Commitment to carry out the duties of a Board Member
• Willingness to offer personal and professional skills and experience to support staff when required
• To act as a champion for NewBridge
• To work as part of a team, express personal convictions and values, accept a majority decision and be tolerant of the views of others

Once appointed, Trustees serve an initial 3-year term which can be renewed twice (maximum 9 years) - however there is no official minimum time limit, and Trustees can step down at any point as necessary. All Trustee roles are unpaid. We support expenses to cover travel, childcare and access costs, and aim to hold meetings at times that can accommodate our Trustees' work, family and personal circumstances.

The deadline for applications is Monday 4 August, 12 noon. We have a number of different ways to apply for this role. You can do this through:

• A single PDF document containing the information outlined below
• A video or audio file containing the information outlined below
• A mixture of written and video or audio application (e.g. an audio application but written Equal Opportunities Form)

In your application – please include:

• A CV (including your name, address and contact information)
• A statement on why you would like to be a NewBridge Trustee and what skills, experience and knowledge you would bring to the role
• Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form (available to download from our website)